AS Roma is reportedly making a significant push to secure the signing of Colombian midfielder Richard Rios from Brazilian club Palmeiras. With new coach Gian Piero Gasperini at the helm, the club is looking to inject pace, character, and dynamism into their midfield, and Rios appears to be the top candidate on Gasperini`s wishlist.
Sources indicate that Roma is preparing a decisive offer of €30 million, including bonuses, to tempt Palmeiras into selling the 23-year-old. This substantial bid is said to have edged out competition from other European clubs, including Porto, Fiorentina, and Atletico Madrid, who were also monitoring the player.
A Modern Midfielder Shaped by Futsal
Born in the small Colombian town of Vegachí, Antioquia, Rios began his sporting journey in futsal. This background is often credited with developing his ability to operate effectively under pressure and in tight spaces – qualities highly valued by coaches like Gasperini. Unlike many players who rise through the structured ranks of European academies, Rios`s path, honed in Brazil first at Flamengo and then Palmeiras, is said to have given him a more instinctive and unique technical approach.
He has established himself as one of the standout defensive midfielders in Brazil`s Serie A. His performances have earned him caps for the Colombian national team, where he has shown notable character, reportedly standing up to seasoned veterans like Lionel Messi and Nicolás Otamendi during World Cup qualifiers.
Rios`s playing profile is that of a modern, box-to-box midfielder. Statistics from this season highlight his contributions: covering over 11 kilometers per game, maintaining an 87% passing accuracy, demonstrating defensive intensity with an average of 2.6 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per match, and offering an offensive threat with 2 goals and 4 assists. These numbers paint a clear picture of a player capable of influencing the game at both ends of the pitch.
Beyond the Pitch: Personality and Peculiar Rumors
Off the field, Rios is known for his engaging personality. He reportedly learned Portuguese by immersing himself in music and has a popular presence on platforms like TikTok, sharing spontaneous and often ironic content. His distinctive looks and tattoos, including a large lion covering his back with the inscription “Winning mentality,” further contribute to his public image. He`s also shown a flair for expressive celebrations, once notably silencing opposition fans after scoring against Corinthians.
However, Rios perhaps gained a degree of peculiar notoriety in South America due to an utterly bizarre, yet persistent, piece of fake news that circulated some years ago. The unfounded rumor claimed that Richard Rios was the secret son of Colombian pop superstar Shakira and Puerto Rican singer Osvaldo Rios. The fabricated narrative suggested Shakira, then in her early twenties, had secretly given birth and entrusted the child to his father. Despite the complete lack of evidence or confirmation from anyone involved, this strange story continues to surface online whenever Rios is mentioned alongside Shakira`s name. A tale perhaps better suited for a telenovela than a football pitch, it highlights the strange corners of internet rumor mills.
Transfer Status
Returning to the concrete realities of the transfer market, Roma`s €30 million offer aligns with what Palmeiras reportedly considers a negotiable base price. The transfer is complicated slightly by multi-ownership rights – Palmeiras holds 70%, Guarani 14%, Flamengo 6%, and the player himself 10%. Should the deal go through, Palmeiras would receive approximately €21 million from the proposed fee.
With the start of Roma`s pre-season training camp scheduled for July 13th, there is a potential for negotiations to conclude swiftly, allowing Rios to join his prospective new teammates promptly if an agreement is reached.